After nearly 240 years of the 'Declaration of Independence', what do we really look forward to on the 4th of July? Is it the fireworks that light up the night sky across the country? Is it the parades and the barbecues or the baseball games? Or is it just the lure of a long weekend, a day to relax with your partner and kids? It's all such great fun, isn't it?! But amidst all the fun and celebrations, do we also reflect for a moment on the events that made all this possible? The Revolutionary war with the British Empire that gained momentumon the 4th of July 1776, when the Continental Congress came together and signed the 'Declaration of Independence'.

For us at CSN, itis a day to remember those beautiful coins that celebrate our Independence, the coins that honor our founding fathers and the brave men in uniform who gave their lives so that we may enjoy Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness!

Founding fathers coins

Washington Quarter

One of the most skillful Commander-in-chiefs who saw real battle during the Revolutionary war and our 1st President, George Washington is honored through the Washington Quarter designed by John Flanagan in 1932. The Quarter shows the head of Washington facing left, with "Liberty" above the head, the date below, and "In God We Trust" in the left field. The reverse shows an eagle with wings outspread and perched on bundle of arrows framed below by two olive branches.[1]

Jefferson Nickel

The Jefferson Nickel sporting Thomas Jefferson in its obverse design and Monticello, Jeffersons plantation home, is another coin that honors a founding father. It was designed by Felix Schlag and was released in 1938. (More about the Jefferson and Wartime Nickel here)

Commemorative coins

1925 Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial half dollar

Two of the most famous and deciding battles of the Revolutionary war were fought in Lexington and Concord and were commemorated with the 1925 half dollar. Designed by Chester Beach, it depicts the Minute man statue in the obverse and the Old Belfry at Lexington in the reverse.[2]

1926 American Sesquicentennial half dollar

This half dollar celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the American Independence was designed by John Frederick Lewis and adapted by John R. Sinnock the Chief Engraver in 1926. The coin had the jugate heads of George Washington and Calvin Coolidge, the President at the time in the obverse and the Liberty Bell in the reverse.[3]

1976 Bicentennial coins

For the Bicentennial in 1976, competitions were held across the country to re-design the reverses of the quarter, half-dollar and the dollar. Each coin had to have the Bicentennial years of 1776 1976 marked under the design. For the quarter, a Colonial drummer design; for the half-dollar, the Independence hall design and a design of the Liberty bell superimposed by the moon, for the dollar, were selected. All these coins are still in circulation.[4]

1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots coin

Those who think that the Revolutionary army consisted of only whites, would be shocked to know that many African-Americans fought alongside white men to gain independence for the colonies. The first American who died in the Boston Massacre of 1770 was an African-American called Crispus Attucks and is honored in the 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots coin. The obverse has a portrait of Attucks designed by John Mercanti and the reverse shows the proposed (later dropped) Black Patriots Memorial designed by Ed Dwight.[5]

50 State Quarters

Delaware State Quarter

The Delaware State Quarter was the 1stQuarter in the 50 State Quarters program as it was the first state to ratify the US constitution. It is also popular because of its design depicting Caesar Rodney, delegate to the Continental Congress, on horse-back galloping 80 miles to Philadelphia braving thunderstorm and a severe summer heat wave to cast the deciding vote for Delaware favoring Independence.[6]

America the Beautiful Quarters

Saratoga National Historical ParkQuarter

The Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the place where the Battles of Saratoga took place in 1777. The sight of the famous victory against the British forces is honored in this 2015 America the Beautiful Quarter. The obverse shows a close-up of the moment General John Burgoyne surrendered his sword to General Horatio Gates. [7]

Fort Sumter National Monument Quarter

The Fort Moultrie or Fort Sumter National Monument is the place where a brave Sergeant, William Jasper fighting under Commander Moultrie of the American Revolutionary forces recovered the flag that was shot by the British. The 2016 Fort Moultrie Quarter will depict Sergeant William Jasper returning the regimental flag to the ramparts. This coin is planned for release inNovember 14th2016.[8]

4th of July is the day we need to enjoy with '...pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more...' , [9]in the futuristic words of John Adams. It's also the day to recommit ourselves to the country that gave us all so that thegenerations that follow will enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. Happy4th of July !